Future looks bleak for Mosul residents

There is no reason to be optimistic about the future of Mosul, a reader says. Other topics: 9/11 videos, Wi-Fi on buses, public health

A reader finds no reason to be optimistic about the future of Mosul residents. Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

Although many people are rejoicing as ISIL is slowly driven out of Mosul, they are forgetting that residents will continue to suffer long after ISIL is gone (Desperate Iraqis demand food from soldiers retaking Mosul, November 16).

With countless people traumatised and homeless, and children out of school, the future looks bleak. I wonder whether Mosul – or Iraq for that matter – can be rebuilt in one lifetime.

What does the future hold for these people? Will they be able to find work? What will happen to the lost generation – the children of war? I think this cycle of violence will continue for years to come, as many of these people will have no option but to resort to unfair means to survive.

It’s a pity that such a great civilisation has been completely destroyed.

The effect of the unrest will be felt far beyond the region, as many countries are discovering.

Mohammed Khalid, US

No need to play 9/11 videos

Why would graphic video be shown to special needs children in any case? (British Muslim fights dismissal from teaching assistant job after objecting to 9/11 clip, November 18). There are plenty of videos out there about 9/11 that are less graphic but get the point across.

Katy Cochran Rakow, US

There is enough sadness in this world. There is no need to show such videos to vulnerable children.

Belinda Wallington, Dubai

I remember seeing a video about Jews being fed into ovens during the Holocaust when I was in fourth grade. That image has haunted me, but also helped me to understand that horrible things do happen in the world. We as a global culture need to discuss when we should start to talk to children about all of the horrors of the world. Suriyah Bi’s protest should be seen as an opportunity for us to open a dialogue.

Jennie Egloff, Dubai

Wi-Fi on buses brings relief

The news about free Wi-Fi on Dubai intercity buses is great (Dubai introduces free Wi-Fi for passengers on intercity buses, November 15).

I work in Dubai but live in Sharjah and my daily commute during peak hours is extremely painful. Free internet on buses will, I hope, alleviate our suffering. Moreover, in a modern city such as Dubai, internet should be made available free of charge everywhere.

Mohammed Aslam, Sharjah

Vigorous health drives needed

I am optimistic that the fight against obesity and diabetes can be won with intensive campaigns motivating people to live healthier lives (UAE public health campaigns on diabetes 'must be more intensive', November 16).

If anecdotal evidence is anything to go by, I would say the Government initiatives are paying dividends. People are much more aware of this issue than they were, say, five years ago. Visit any community park any day in the morning and evening and you would find a large number of people working out and children playing. It wasn’t like this before.

However, temptations are too many and open spaces too few and far between. Wherever you go, you will find shopping malls. Many more are being built. Sadly, community parks are fewer. The sizes of most of them are also smaller than these commercial developments.

This means people are forced to visit malls that are full of fast-food restaurants. Crowds at KFC, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King are only swelling. So much so that even in this time of economic downturn, more such businesses are opening their doors.

Health campaigns ought to be matched with concrete steps and a genuine will to combat lifestyle diseases. An unhealthy nation has much more to lose than money.

Sophia Brown, Dubai